My Leadership “Signposts”
I’m not sure why I decided to call them by that name, but I have for the last several years. I counsel people all the time: when confused or in need of direction from God, always look BACK to the “signposts” –those times when you WERE clear and had direction from the Lord in a special way. I maintain that most of us have had moments when the sense of being directed is very strong and very clear. Sometimes prayer moments seem to “connect” on a special and memorable level. I’ve learned to make special note of those moments, especially when life crowds up with stresses and conflicting priorities. Although some days I do it much deeper than others, as a leader, I DAILY try to check my “guidance systems” for where the Lord not only wants me to go but where He is wanting to go with the church.
Tonight I decided to be more methodical and specific and write down, in a new format, all of those critical moments from the last few years. I highly recommend the practice. It was very helpful. It served to simplify matters in my mind. Church life in a place the size of BTCC can get pretty complicated. The problems and challenges can be overwhelming just in their dizzying variety. Honestly, from time to time it will make you want to go live in a van down by the river! But, as I looked back on those “signpost” moments, I was reminded of my big picture priorities.
I may tell the story around each one of them someday (if anyone cares). A couple of the stories I’ve told from the pulpit. The “pray until the lights come on” while in Kabul is an example. For now though, I am more interested in the result:
When I distilled the signposts down to the fundamentals, they all came down to 5 basic “callings” I am very confident should guide my leadership (each of them have details underneath the surface statement):
1) Make sure we pursue worship services that “inspire extravagant worship” and run that vision all the way to children’s ministry.
2) “Projects” – productions designed to “make the case for the faith” as if unbelievers are the only ones in the room.
3) Missions: the “one to one” relationship with the least reached countries of the world, especially partnering with the Chinese and their dream of taking the gospel Back to Jerusalem.
4) Doing it all, not only as a Lead Pastor, but with my family deeply engaged.
5) Honoring the heritage of our church –realizing I am of the generation that is living off of the generosity and faithfulness of others.
All of these are to be under-girded and guided by the values of: intellectual integrity, spiritual power & artistic sensibility.
Those are the biggies for me. As I lead, those are the guidance systems that will always be signs planted in the road to give perspective and direction no matter what comes.
2 responses to "My Leadership “Signposts”"
I struggle with discerning “Signposts”.
Sometimes I think it’s an issue of waiting for God’s will to be specially revealed to me (a-la angelic or prophetic revelation) and ignoring the more subtle directions He gives.
What defines a “lights come on” moment for you? How do you discern when you are really receiving His direction?
@briannotess,
admittedly, it;s an eternal reality. I think most of us have our personal “heart-felt” experiences. I think the best example and most universal is that “knowing” on the inside that you needed to come to Christ to begin with. Somehow, mentally, emotionally and spiritually we knew we needed to “step over the line” or whatever you want to call it. And, generally speaking – when we DID respnd to that internal push, there was a sense of rightness about it all. It;s more than feeling, it;s kind of an “all the planets aligning” type of thing.
On the other hand, in other subjects I have gone from internal cloudiness whether caused by guilt, confusion, fear, etc. where the seeking to get out of it has resulted in a rush of peace, forgiveness, clarity or courage and calm. I maintain that, while feelings are a part of it, there is something more going on. The Psalms are the best place to have the reality of our internal world confirmed. They will say thing like, “I am sinking in the mire” — then – “you give me a firm place to stand”. I call the definite experience of going from mire to firm place — a “signpost”.
Hope that helps